J-K: Army Major, two soldiers killed in Pakistan firing along LoC in Rajouri

The casualties took place when Pakistani troops opened fire at the Indian Army patrol in Keri sector. (AP Photo/File)

Three army men including a Major were killed and another injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Keri sector of Rajouri district on Saturday afternoon.

An Udhampur-based defence ministry spokesperson confirmed the casualties saying that more details will follow. The deceased personnel have been identified as–Major Prafulla, Sepoy Pargarh and Sepoy Gurmeet Singh of 2 Sikh battalion.

Sources said that casualties took place when Pakistani troops suddenly opened fire on an Indian Army patrol moving on its Indian side of the LoC in Keri sector around 12.15 pm. However, it could not be immediately known whether there had been any retaliation from the Indian side.

Though there had been stray incidents of firing from Pakistani troops on forward Indian positions along the LoC in adjoining Nowshera sector, the latest ceasefire at such a scale has come after nearly a month. On November 16, the Pakistani troops had resorted to mortar shelling in Shahpur and Degwar areas of Poonch forcing the district administration to order the closure of schools in Gulpur and Nakarkote areas, which are near the border, as a precautionary measure.

At least a dozen people including civilians and soldiers have been killed in nearly 300 incidents of ceasefire violations along the border in 2017 so far. In 2016, there were 228 such incidents.

The escalation along the borders had led to suspension of cross LoC travel and trade on Poonch-Rawalakote road through Chakkan Da Bagh for nearly four months, besides migration of a large number of people from villages near LoC in Nowshera sector. Though travel and trade between two sides have resumed last week, those having migrated from their native places are yet to return home.

Major, four soldiers fell victim to Pakistani firing in violation of the ceasefire in Rajouri
A Major and four soldiers were killed as Pakistan opened fire on the Line of Control, in violation of the ceasefire, at Rajouri in the Pir Panchal Valley.

Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Choudhary told The Hindu that around quarter past noon, there was firing from across the LoC on an Army patrol in the Keri Battalion area.

“The Army faced four fatalities, including a Major and three jawans,” Mr. Choudhary said.

A Defence spokesman said Indian soldiers retaliated “strongly and effectively”.

The deceased belonged to the 2 Sikh regiment and were posted in the Chingus area of Rajouri. They have been identified as Major Moharkar Prafulla Ambadas, 32; Sepoy Pargat Singh, 30; Sepoy Gurmeet Singh; and Lance Naik Gurmail Singh, 34.

This is the second consecutive day that areas along the LoC witnessed ceasefire violations in Rajouri. “Houses were damaged in [Pakistani] firing in Rajouri on Friday. People are living on the edge here,” he said.

"The sacrifices rendered by the martyrs would be remembered forever," said Mr. Singh.

A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by Border Security Force personnel along the Pakistan border, while he was crossing over to the Indian territory at Ajnala in Punjab, an official said on Saturday.

The 70th Battalion of the BSF shot dead the Pakistani intruder, aged around 65, when he ignored the warnings of the personnel and kept proceeding, the BSF official said, adding that the incident took place on Friday around 10.30 p.m.

The body was kept in the mortuary after the post-mortem examination, the official said, adding that further investigations were under way.

The BSF had foiled an infiltration bid from across the border in September, when it shot dead two armed Pakistani intruders along the Pakistan border at Ajnala.